How to hire maintenance workers, machinery
A job description you can copy, interview questions tied to the real work, and what to pay. Free.
Job description template
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and remove anything that does not fit your job. Keep only must-haves you would really turn someone away for.
[Job title] at [Company name] [City, State] · [Full-time / Part-time] · [Pay range] About the role [Two or three sentences about your team, the work and why it matters.] What you will do • Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment. • Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists. • Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications. • Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures. • Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance. • Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work. • Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information. • Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations. What you bring • [Required license, certification or years of experience, if any] • [Education, only if you truly need it. Typical to start in this job: High school diploma or equivalent] • Strong active listening, critical thinking and reading comprehension skills • Working knowledge of mechanical • [Anything else you would really turn someone away for] Pay and benefits [Pay range]. For reference, the U.S. median for this job is $29.25 an hour ($60,850 a year). [Benefits, schedule and anything else candidates should know.] How to apply [Apply on JAI Bot. Every applicant hears back.]
Interview questions for maintenance workers, machinery
Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, and write down what they say. Questions about past work show what someone has actually done.
- Tell me about a time you had to collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to understand a request or problem that was explained poorly. How did you make sure you got it right?
- Describe a decision at work where the obvious answer was wrong. How did you work out the better choice?
- Tell me about written instructions, a policy or a manual you had to follow closely. How did you make sure you followed it correctly?
- Why this job, and why now? What would make you stay here for the long term?
Good answers name a real situation, what the person did themselves and what happened. Avoid questions about age, family plans, religion, health, national origin or anything else unrelated to the job.
What maintenance workers, machinery do
- Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.
- Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.
- Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.
- Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures.
- Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
- Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.
- Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.
- Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.
Skills that matter most
Education, experience and outlook for maintenance workers, machinery
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Long-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -1.9% over ten years, little or no change · about 4,400 openings a year (BLS)
What to pay maintenance workers, machinery
Pay depends a lot on where the job is. Highest and lowest median yearly pay by state:
| State | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Kentucky | $76,710 |
| Nevada | $75,500 |
| California | $67,840 |
| New York | $67,610 |
| Virginia | $65,500 |
| Arkansas | $53,250 |
| Florida | $51,900 |
| Indiana | $48,760 |
See maintenance workers, machinery pay in every state
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- Rail Car Repairers
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Post this job on JAI Bot. Free to start: JAI Bot reads every applicant against your must-haves, shows the resume evidence behind each one, and helps you reply to everyone. People make every decision.
Post a job freePay by areaJob duties and skills: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2025. Interview questions and the job description template: JAI Bot, based on the duties and skills above.